Gill won’t allow failure again
Jerry Gill declared that he won’t allow the club to fall at the first hurdle of the play-offs again as their season concluded last Sunday.
After an enforced 128-day break, the Romans were thrown back into action with a play-off eliminator nearly a year after the league season commenced.
City finished fourth on points per game, which formulated a return of 75.6 over 42 matches.
It would have been the club’s highest total in National League South.
“We finished higher than last year which was always the aim, and had some great moments,” said Gill. “But it doesn’t count for anything again because you’re judged on what you win.”
“It’s two years in a row we’ve lost out in play-offs and I’ve said about physicality twice. Maybe it’s something we need to look at in our recruitment.
“There are some loan players going back to their parent clubs and we wish them all the best. There are others to make some big decisions on because I don’t want this feeling again.
“We don’t want to change our philosophy. We play some good, effective football.
“I’ll have to sit down with the board and talk about a whole heap of things.”
While Dorking signed the unused Calum Kennedy from Billericay and Alfie Rutherford from Havant & Waterlooville shortly before the play-offs, City’s only amendment to their squad saw Noah Chilvers return to parent club Colchester United.
It left them with a squad of 18 for a potential three matches.
“Obviously we couldn’t do any recruitment because we’re still in the play-offs. We had to stay with our group and not think ahead too much,” said Gill.
“We didn’t think of Weymouth or next season. We only thought about Dorking.
“We need to build a squad quickly that’s going to be a winning squad and one that looks good on the eye for this progressive football club.”
Gill reflected on the campaign, which saw attendances average 1,064 at Twerton Park in the league.
The build-up to the play-offs saw extra support in several media outlets including the One Show, who funded a cardboard cutout of comedian Bill Bailey and singer Ellie Goulding to be placed on the terraces for the play-off clash.
“It’s been a bizarre season but thoroughly enjoyable again.” Gill claimed.
“We forget that we’ve had such good moments on and off the pitch.
“It’s a club that’s in a good place. I just felt like this year may have been our chance to go up.
“Falling at the first hurdle of the play-offs can’t happen again.”
Play-offs
RESULTS, Sunday, eliminator: Slough Tn 0 Dartford 3, Bath City 1 Dorking Wdrs 2.
FIXTURES, Saturday, play-off semi-finals: Havant & Waterlooville v Dartford, Weymouth v Dorking Wanderers